REVIEW || SKINKISSED VITAMIN C SERUM

When I first came across the brand Skinkissed my initial thoughts were 'just another serum that claims to work wonders', but oh boy, did I surprise myself when I started using it...
This is a serum which consists of Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and Collagen as the main ingredients and claims to plump up dry and dull skin, making it more vibrant and fresh as well as reducing the appearance of wrinkles and treat acne.

As I mentioned above, the serum has acne-treating properties inside which is right up my alley as I've been battling with acne since I was 11 - you can read my story here. I didn't know what to think of it at first as I've tried many products and nothing really worked for me, but I think that this is a great addition to anyone's skincare routine as it really does make a difference in how my skin looks and feels. The packaging is quite cute and reminds me a bit of medicine as it comes in a glass bottle with a pipette for easy application where you can control how much product you use. I enjoy using this serum at night so it soaks into my skin and makes it nice and soft for the next day before I apply my makeup. The instructions say to use 3-5 drops on your fingers and gently massage into desired areas (I use it on my face and neck). You need to bear in mind that if you use more drops then it will take slightly longer for it to absorb into your skin, so the less you use the more efficient it'll turn out to be.
The consistency of this serum is quite watery however it feels a little bit sticky when it's applied but that goes away as soon as it's absorbed into the skin, but I find that the sticky feeling helps keep my makeup on for longer so it's a great substitute for primer!

When I get up in the morning I begin my day with a usual skincare routine, and I have noticed a big difference in the glow of my skin which makes my makeup look a lot better as I don't need to use as many brightening products to get a natural-looking glow. You might be asking yourself one question which is 'is it worth the high price tag?', well I think it is. I've had this product for a few weeks now and been using it every day yet I still have about 3/5 of the bottle left which means that it'll last you a while. It also has a lot of nutrients in it which your skin needs, but if you were to buy all the ingredients and use them separately it would cost a lot of money and who would want to take about 7 vitamins a day when you can very easily rub some serum into your skin? I know which one I'd rather... My verdict is that this product is my new holy grail for my dull and acne-prone skin!

*This post includes a PR sample.

What are your favourite serums? Have you ever tried this one?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

HOW I CLEARED MY ACNE IN LESS THAN 90 DAYS (AD)

*Personal post alert*

I don't even know where to start... I have been struggling with bad skin for 12 years and it's something that has bothered me since I started secondary school and met some horrible people. I wasn't too fussed about having spots and looking after my skin more until I got bullied for it - how can someone say a bad thing about something so natural? Either way, I tried a great number of different products which were either a hit or miss, but all I can say is that going to see a dermatologist was the best decision I made.

I was given yet another set of pills which were so strong that if I got pregnant while taking them, the baby would have been deformed... Is it healthy to put your body at such risk just to get off some damn spots? Either way, they did go away after a year of being on those meds but along with losing spots, I have also lost my good eyesights and now will have to wear glasses for the rest of my life.

Guess what? The spots came back, haha. At the age of 21, I still feel like a hormonal teenager who can't wait to get rid of bad skin. It might be due to my contraception method (I'm on the implant) but I can't blame all my unwellness of that, can I?

When I came across Proactiv+ I thought 'it's just another brand claiming to fight blemishes', but when I received a 90-day sample to try out for myself I was very excited to try it out for myself - got nothing left to lose, eh? I researched into the company and have seen many adverts in which Jorgie Porter shares her acne story - I knew she suffered from bad skin as I watched I'm A Celeb while she was on it. So you can imagine how much I was looking forward to trying the Proactiv+ Trio (I was also sent their face mask).

Step 1: Cleanse and Exfoliate

The Skin Smoothing Exfoliator contains blemish-fighting salicylic acid and gentle exfoliating beads to slough away dead skin cells, dirt, oil, grime and makeup. It reveals fresh, smooth skin while helping to calm irritated skin as well as being oil-free and dermatologist tested + suitable for all skin types - hooray! I apply this product twice a day - once in the morning as soon as I get up, and once at night before going to bed. This exfoliator retails at £29.99 however, you can get it at a discounted price of £23.99 if you join the membership programme. I find this product very gentle for my skin without any irritation, if you have read my recent skincare routine you will already know that I have a combination skin type which makes finding the right products very difficult, so this one is honestly amazing for those who have sensitive skin.

Step 2: Target and Treat

The Pore Targeting Treatment is probably my favourite item from the collection. It's described as a blemish-fighting 'powerhouse' of the system which contains an exclusive Smart Target technology, helping to deliver salicylic acid into the pores where blemishes begin. It kills bacteria and eliminates excess oil and debris, and works deep in the pores to break down dead skin cells, dirt and sebum. Now you know why I love this product!! I feel like this treatment works very well as it pushes out all the nastiness from the debris (middle layer of the skin) which makes spots come out on the epidermis so that your skin feels fresh and clean from underneath as well as on top. I do find that when the nasties are pushed out on the surface of my skin, it makes me break out a lot but that's when I knew the product was working as it was clearing out my skin from the inside, plus the spots would only last a few days with continuous use. This little gem also retails at £29.99, and you can get it for £23.99 like the exfoliator. You get less product in this one but I would suggest buying this one over the other ones I've tried if you're after only one product.

Step 3: Hydrate and Perfect

The third and final step of the treatment includes the Complexion Perfecting Hydrator which is specifically designed to hydrate and nourish acne-prone skin. It addresses the skin tone, texture, post-blemish marks, oil, dryness, and lack of brightness. The salicylic acid helps keep pores clean and looking smaller, as well as leaving the skin hydrated, supple, smooth, even-toned and bright.
I use this as my daily moisturiser after the Pore Targeting Treatment sinks into my skin, I find it very cooling and smoothing which makes a great base for my makeup (I wear a full face of makeup most days). This moisturiser is also £29.99 but £23.99 at a member price, which will cost less than £1 a day to clear up your skin in just 90 days if you buy all 3 products.

Skin Purifying Mask:

Like I've mentioned before, I was also kindly given the Skin Purifying Mask to try out. This mask is formulated to help clear existing blemishes and help prevent new breakouts from forming. It's very tightening on the skin which makes me feel like it's actually doing something to my skin, such as clearing out and minimising my pores and getting rid of sebum. I try to use face masks once or twice a week, so I usually switch between this one and a moisturising mask each time.

The Results:

After using the Proactiv+ 90 Day 3-Step Core System and face mask, I can honestly say that I have noticed a massive difference in how my skin looks and feels. Unfortunately, I don't have a good enough image of my skin before starting the treatment but if you've been following me for a while then you'll know how bad my skin can get (the bumps are usually visible in makeup posts). I highly recommend the trio to anyone who is suffering from bad acne and has tried many products which they weren't happy with. If you're not wanting to spend a lot of money then I suggest you try out a 30 day 3-Step Core Kit with Proactiv's membership programme which allows you to get the whole bundle for only £19.99 (special discounts apply to members and occasionally regular visitors).


*The kit was kindly sent to me by Proactiv+ however, all opinions are my own. The post may include affiliate links.

Would you try the Proactiv+ kit? Do you suffer from acne?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

REVIEW || BEAUTY FORMULAS DEEP CLEANSING NOSE PORE STRIPS - A 5 MINUTE PORE CLEANSE EVERYONE NEEDS IN THEIR LIFE

As someone who has medium sized pores and wears a lot of makeup, it is hard to keep up with skincare regime that won't clog up my pores and won't remove the good oils from my skin.
I recently came across these Beauty Formulas Deep Cleansing Nose Pore Strips after watching my friend Rebekah's video (you can check her channel out here - she mentions the tea tree ones). She said they're very good at taking out all the nasty makeup residue and oils from the skin so I obviously had to go and buy some.
The good news are that these are only £3.95 for 6 strips which should last you 6 weeks if you use one weekly. I would advise doing these only when you feel like you need an extra cleanse as they are quite strong and do get rid of all the oils and clogged pores. I also have to advice against using this too often, like a few times a week, as it does get rid of the good oils from your face as well as the bad.

I was going to insert a picture of the results after doing one of these but I don't think you would want to see my nasty makeup residue from my pores haha - correct me if I'm wrong though?!

Make sure you follow all the instructions as these are a bit tricky to apply. First, you have to wet your face completely, well, the nose area anyway. Once you've done this step, peel off the strip from the plastic and apply it to the desired area. I've previously put one on my nose and chin so whatever works for you! You can also cut the strips in different shapes to use on other areas such as the forehead.

After waiting until the strip dries completely, slowly peel it off from side to side (if that makes sense?). You should now be able to see the strip pulling out all the nasties from your skin - it's so satisfying! Once you've peeled the strip off, wash your face with warm water and continue with your skincare as normal.

Overall, I think these are fantastic for the price, they're very affordable and do a great job. I would recommend these to all boys and girls who struggle with oily skin as this works wonders! Even Kieran uses them and he's the kind of lad who only uses moisturiser when he feels like it, haha!

Have you tried these before? Would you recommend any nose pore strips?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

Review || T-Zone Rapid Action Spot Zapping Gel

Hi Everyone!

Hope your week has been good so far! I know that mine has for sure as I'm finally becoming healthier physically and mentally and I couldn't be happier with myself.

Today I decided to talk about one of my favourite skincare products which is actually a spot gel and it's not something I've spoken much about previously. I have been using the T-Zone Spot Zapping Gel for about 6 months now and am onto my third tube!

The first time I came across this product was during the Summer holidays last year when my sister let me use hers as I was running out of my trusty Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Treatment Cream. Hands down, this is the best spot cream I have ever come across, and trust me when I say this - I've been through all sorts of different spot creams.

As I have been fighting with acne since I was 11 and now only getting outbreaks due to time of the month or using new beauty products, I thought I needed something which will eliminate spots fast without having to leave the product on overnight. I use this product before applying makeup and before going to bed, it dries really quickly and does not smudge making it easy to apply and able to wear it during the day as it doesn't leave any marks.

The formula feels like hand sanitiser and it also smells like one too - mostly like aloe vera and tea tree. I've noticed that it doesn't dry out the skin around the spot which is a great plus for those who like me, suffer with dry skin.

I would say that the T-Zone Spot Zapping Gel works within a few hours and is suitable for all skin types. You can find it here for £1.99, however you can also buy this for £1 (I KNOW) in B&M and Home Bargain Stores, as well as Savers and Wilko's.

Have you tried any of the T-Zone products? Did you like them?

Lots of love,

Maya xo